Spring, Cheltenham Badlands

[luxborealis]

Cheltenham Badlands – a small area of eroded shale along the Niagara Escarpment near Toronto, Ontario – is a favourite for landscape photography. Great textures, shapes, colours and contrasts. I was there yesterday morning (Victoria Day here in Canada) before sunrise with fellow photographer and forum contributor Kerry Little. Here are a few from the day.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

Terry, these are lovely, especially the last one. Speaking about the #3, is there a chance to see a bit more to the right of the tree?

[John R]

I know the place well and go there often. I have done slide shows for winter and other seasons. Missed this year, almost no snow. The green tree has real nice soft glow feel. Excellent work, Terry.

[luxborealis]

Terry, these are lovely, especially the last one. Speaking about the #3, is there a chance to see a bit more to the right of the tree?

Thanks, Slobodan. You're right about #3 - here is the same with slightly more to the right of the tree. Any more than that and I find the tree beginning to "float" rather than "anchor".

I've also attached a 4:3 crop. I still prefer the 1:1 crop, but I also like to experiment with seeing. I'll live with both for while until one or the other speaks louder.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

I am usually a sucker for square (from my Hasselblad days), but in this case I prefer the 4:3 version... just seem a bit more balanced. With the tree so close to the right edge, it takes a bit longer on the left to counter-balance it. Forgot to mention, I also like the warm-tone b&w.

[wolfnowl]

Some very good work here.  My preference is for the first, but like Slobodan, I like the 4:3 version of #3 for reasons already given.

Mike.

[Paulo Bizarro]

My favourite is actually number 3, I think it emphasizes the nakedeness and bare texture of the landscape and the rocks. It has an organic feel to it. In the other two, the tree is lovely, but it "steals" from the landscape texture.

[francois]

+1 for the third image, brilliant.

[churly]

Terry.  I am really enjoying this set.  I've been back for a couple looks.  I think #1 is my favorite.  The depth and the path into the image are fascinating.  I'm hoping to do some badlands shooting  in the next couple of weeks.  You have provided great inspiration at just the right time.